Vomiting Missiles, Crying About Crimea

What happened in Kharkiv and Crimea?

Jun 25, 2024

Want to know what’s happening in Ukraine? Read on for the real intelligence and mood, from the most informed voices.

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS:

Ukraine achieves a major success with a massive blow upon a Russian military communications centre in the Crimean peninsula. Russia tries to deflect by expressing outrage at the death of nearby civilians, who were hit by Russian air defense, something Ukrainians know all too well.
Meanwhile, for the first time in weeks, Russians heavily pounded Kharkiv’s city centre over the weekend. It seems Moscow now has adapted to the new US rules of engagement for Ukraine, and after a few weeks, is now striking Ukraine from deeper in Russia, places that Washington forbids Ukraine to hit with American weapons.

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WGN RADIO DAILY WAR JOURNAL — 10 Minutes Daily: Watch, Listen, or Read | from Monday 24 June

War Day 850: Russia Vomits Rockets Upon Kharkiv, Cries About Crimea

The only American news show reporting live from Ukraine EVERY WEEKDAY of Russia’s full-scale invasion; with Bob Sirott in Chicago and Joe Lindsley in Lviv

Ukraine Scores Big Success in Crimea; Russia Deflects

BOB SIROTT: Russia has summoned the US Ambassador in retaliation after blaming Washington for a deadly strike on a strategic port in occupied Crimea. Joseph Lindsley is standing by, and we will get more on that from him as soon as we connect, which should be any second now. The strike left at least four people dead and more than 150 injured, marking one of the biggest attacks on the Russian-annexed peninsula in recent months.

The claim is that US-supplied missiles were used in the attack. Russia's defense ministry said four US-provided Army tactical missile system rockets were intercepted over the city, but fragments from a fifth rocket led to numerous casualties among civilians on the ground. ... Joseph, what's the story from Ukraine today?

A Midsummer’s Day Musical Dream

JOE LINDSLEY: Hey, Bob. Good afternoon from Lviv, where it's overcast today and about 70 degrees—a little bit of relief after some hot weather. Yesterday was Pentecost here in Ukraine, which is 50 days after Easter. There's this curious tradition where they put sprigs of green branches on the threshold as you enter a house or a café—just another way Ukrainians keep their traditions alive.

It was also Midsummer on Friday, the name for the longest day of the year in many European countries. Traditionally, Ukrainians like to have a bonfire in the middle of the night on that day, but obviously, because of the wartime curfew, they can't. So, even though it was a pretty hot day, people were having bonfires in the middle of the day, holding on to their traditions in some way.

June 21st was the International Day of Music, a holiday that started in Paris but has been embraced by the people of Lviv, also known as Leopolitans. The city was filled with music everywhere, mainly Ukrainian musicians but also some Americans and people of all ages singing. It was a joyful day, but as each of these holidays passes, the absence of those lost in the conflict becomes more apparent, and a growing heaviness is felt. I spoke with some visiting Americans who marveled at the wonderful society and civilization here and expressed sadness that so much of it is under threat.

Renewed Russian Attacks on Kharkiv

Kharkiv had enjoyed several weeks of increased calm, but over the weekend the Russians have now found new ways to attack. Multiple serious strikes hit the city center throughout the weekend using glide bombs. It seems that when the US gave permission for Ukraine to strike back on Russian soil, the Russians adapted by moving their launch points deeper into Russia. These missiles that hit Kharkiv on Saturday and Sunday were launched from over 100 kilometers into Russia, which is the extent to which the US has permitted Ukrainians to hit back.

So, now, Kharkiv is once again under threat, and the frustration is palpable because it feels like they are back to square one. If you check my X, you can see a dashcam view from a car stopped in traffic, capturing the missile coming down and hitting right in the middle of the city on a busy Saturday afternoon. After a month of relative peace in Kharkiv, it seems difficult times might be returning.

Russian Propaganda vs. Reality

BOB SIROTT: Joe, what about Russia's claim that the weekend attack on the port in Crimea was barbaric and due to US-provided missiles? What are you hearing about that?

JOE LINDSLEY: Well, it's interesting that Russia is saying this just hours after their most recent attack on Kharkiv, where they continued to hit civilians. In Kharkiv, the Russians claimed they were attacking a police hospital, which would be a violation of Geneva Conventions, but they didn't even hit that—they hit passersby on the streets and people in their flats.

However, in Crimea, Ukraine had a big success using American-made long-range weapons. The Ukrainians hit a major Russian military observational post that helps control Russian satellites and coordinate their attacks on Ukraine. It was a huge success, and these weapons, known as ATACMS, are extremely precise—some of the best America makes. That's why the US does not permit Ukraine to use them in the Kharkiv region, fearing it might provoke Russia on Russian soil.

In Crimea, which is technically Ukrainian territory, five Russian occupiers were killed, including three children. Closer examination and satellite evidence showed that the precise American-made missile caused significant damage to the Russian military compound, but it was the debris from Russian air defense systems trying to shoot down the missiles that killed those civilians on the beach. This tragic occurrence is something we know well in Ukraine, as Ukrainian civilians have been killed by Ukrainian air defense trying to mitigate damage. No one intends for that to happen, but the Russians' claim that these precise American weapons were used to hit five people on a beach seems preposterous.

Examining the Precision of Propaganda

BOB SIROTT: Yeah, it seems like, as you have often said, the Russian propaganda machine is going strong, isn't it?

JOE LINDSLEY: Absolutely. They're sharp at it, which is why we always have to step back and examine the details. Given the precision of these weapons and the scrutiny from the United States, why would Ukrainians waste them on hitting civilians on a beach? It's exactly what they don't want to do. Meanwhile, the glide bombs the Russians are using in Kharkiv are not precise. They can be aimed generally, but they rarely hit their intended targets. Russia is once again vomiting upon Kharkiv with these low-tech, but deadly, weapons.

BOB SIROTT: Joseph Linsley in Ukraine, thanks for getting us behind the headlines as always, Joe. We'll talk to you tomorrow.

Daily Intel from SILICON CURTAIN — with host JONATHAN FINK in OXFORD

Kevin Leach - Russia did not Invest the Culture Wars, but Ruthlessly Exploits them to Divide Enemies

Kevin Leach is the main director for Sabre Training Advisory Group, a professional military training non-profit. Their aim is to give Ukrainian defenders the skills to come home alive. Kevin is a Canadian Armed Forces veteran, with a long history of working in Ukraine and in military affairs. He served as a sergeant from 2008-2018, specialising in armoured reconnaissance. He leads a weekly segment on the Mriya Report called “Come Home Alive” covering the Key Elements of Training for the Ukrainian army.

Importance of Truth in Warfare and Culture Wars: Leach emphasizes the critical role of truth in both military and information warfare. Lies, even if politically convenient, ultimately damage trust and undermine efforts, such as the misinformation about WMDs in Iraq.
Navigating and Engaging in the Culture War: Leach discusses the complexities of the culture wars, noting that engaging in meaningful conversations rather than aggressive confrontations is key.
Challenges and Realities of Supporting Ukraine: Leach candidly addresses the harsh realities faced by Ukraine, including the need for sustained support from Western allies.
Weaponization of Information and Propaganda: The conversation delves into how Russia leverages information and propaganda to create divisive narratives and manipulate perceptions. Leach explains that Russian propaganda is designed to oversimplify issues and create false equivalences.
The Role of Personal Experience and Perspective: Leach shares insights from his personal experiences in Ukraine, noting the difference between perceptions shaped by direct involvement and those influenced by distant, often distorted, information sources. He emphasizes the value of firsthand experiences and credible sources in understanding the true nature of the conflict and the broader geopolitical dynamics at play.

Kate from Kharkiv, Ukrainian blogger

This weekend left me more exhausted than any workweek ever could. We in Kharkiv had just begun to breathe a little easier. The restrictions on Western weapon use were eased, and the missile launchers that had terrorized us for over two years were finally destroyed or pushed back enough. But our respite was short-lived. Russia now hurls an enormous number of glide bombs our way. These attacks are not precise. The bombs are simply thrown in our direction. And we watch helpless, as they strike bus stations, streets, schools, apartment buildings, and more. These planes are stationed on airfields within ATACMS reach, yet we are forbidden to use those weapons on Russian territory. So here we are, once again, back at square one. #LetUkraineStrikeBack to #SaveKharkiv.

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Regular Resources:

Air-Raid Alert Map

State of the War Map: shows Russian positions and what Ukrainians have taken back; updated daily

Mriya Report: a 24/7 Twitter audio channel featuring the best Ukrainian volunteers and representatives. Joe Lindsley joins every Wednesday at 9pm Kyiv time.

Ukrainian Freedom News

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